LawFly

Also...

I think they are trying to make the word "kitchenette" as meaningless as the word "suite". Note that the "Full Kitchenette" doesn't appear to include a Stovetop of any sort. Just a microwave, sink and dishwasher.

IAHtraveler

Can I ask what you mean by this statement? I'm not doubting you, I just wonder what you mean. I am a Diamond & usually stay ~40% at Hampton, the rest spread among the remainder of the brands. I used to be a Marriott guy until Hilton fit my locations better. It just seems that every brand has a 'value chain' and this is Hilton's version. I quite like Hamptons, just wonder how they don't fit into the Hilton scheme.

IAHtraveler

As someone who watches TV in bed every night, this would be a deal breaker for me. I have a hard time sitting on the couch after a shower, so the TV in front of the couch doesn't do me a lot of good.

CNWO4LIFE

I noticed one of the larger suites was called an ADAAG Suite. Anybody know what that stands for?

NDDomer86

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines...

ElmhurstNick

Am I just being cynical, or is this only a reason to justify the average room rate at many middle-of-nowhere Hampton Inn properties topping $100+tax/night even when they are more than half empty? By bringing this in at say $89, then the Hampton can be theoretically justified at $119. After all, Hampton used to be the value chain but the prices started going up after their rebranding efforts.

I'm also wondering is if this will coincide with some sort of adjustment and reduction to the Doubletree brand. Right now, Doubletree is a bit of a catch all, from some reasonably nice properties (such as some of the old Guest Quarters suites properties) to some properties more suitable to be flagged as a Holiday Inn Select or a Radisson. Also, some of the new chain's ideas smell a bit like the old Doubletree Club concept that failed miserably.

CNWO4LIFE

Thanks. Most times the room just say accessible room or suite.

holtju2

It takes at least 10 years before they have any significant number of these properties.

I am also in doubt whether Hilton really needs yet another brand.

Friendly Traveling Deathmerchant

I'd stay here.

I dig hip, new mid-low pricepoint Hilton properties. Hamptons are nice, fine, but a bit bland (except for the kitchy black and white signage all over with the fun slogans and whatnot). ES is where my normal stay is, but I like something new every now and then.

Sorta can't help thinking "This would have been my dream dorm in college" though...



TDM

ssullivan

Hilton's already done this with the newest of the Hampton Inn and Suites locations. Most of those rooms are shower only, especially in properties opened in the last 18 months.

ssullivan

Definitely looks like a copycat of several competitor's new concepts, meshed together. Having stayed in several alofts, there's a lot of aloft in the conceptual drawings, especially in the public areas. And there's a lot of element in the rooms. I haven't stayed in a Hyatt Place, but from what I've read, and the pictures I've seen, it looks like there's some of that here too.

Now, to me, I don't think Hilton needs another brand. I guess they think they need a lower end extended stay brand, sort of how Marriott has both Towneplace and Residence Inn, and Intercontinental has both Candlewood and Staybridge. But still, how much of a market really exists for this? And how many guests in an "extended stay" concept are really staying there more than 3-4 nights? I also wonder how much each of these will cannibalize existing Homewood and Hampton locations, especially given the price point they're proposing for these hotels, which is below the average Homewood or Hampton rate in many markets these days.

mnredfox

Def worth a try when it comes out. Any idea if they are building or buying and upgrading/renovating existing properties?

dtremit

Hyatt Place and Aloft also are shower only in many cases.

Phoenix123

I'm pretty excited to see it launch. I travel for business and I'm fairly young so this looks more like my speed. I also really like the thought of cooking a meal on the nights I don't feel like going out. Call me a health-nut but sometimes junk food too many days in a row can get overwhelming. Plus, I think the name speaks for itself - especially considering I won't be buying a second home anytime soon!^^

lainys

I have all the wholefoods and Trader Joes stores as a special POS list loaded in my GPS simply because I am tired of eating out all the time whilst on the road. Whilst it's not "cooking from scratch", it's a healthy alternative. Go to the WholeFoods/TJ website, see if there are any local stores in the area you're visiting and also make a note of their closing hrs so you don't wander in too late.